Mohawk

Now that Caleb's hair is getting longer, we've had several requests for mohawk pictures. To please his fans, Caleb consented, though we don't have a signature to prove that.

You'll notice that he's trying to crawl out of the tub as I took this picture.

He is always on the move!

Discontent

Caleb is not content to simply enjoy each new skill he acquires. He was so happy when he could sit up on his own, but that didn't stop him from being upset that he couldn't crawl. Now that he can crawl, he wants to walk.

I've noticed a similar trend in my own life. Try something new. Find out it doesn't satisfy my soul. Try something new. Find out it doesn't satisfy my soul. Try something new. And the cycle continues until I remember to be thankful that these things don't satisfy. Yesterday I came across Psalm 90:14: "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." I am so glad that cleaning house, volunteering, and even spending time with my family doesn't satisfy me. (Can you imagine having to clean a toilet in order to be happy? Ugh. How sad would that be?) Thankfully God doesn't just leave me discontented. God provides someone who will satisfy my soul: himself.

Lord, thank you that you've given me a desire for more than this world can give. Thank you for fulfilling those desires in Christ. Your unfailing love satisfies so completely and eternally. I pray that I wouldn't settle for anything but the joy of life in Christ as I go about my day. May you be my desire and my delight.

Energy 2

This is what I've found the past week when I go to get Caleb from his crib:

Any guesses what he's thinking?

I've also snuck into Caleb's room during his naps because it's so entertaining to see how he falls asleep now that he's moving around his crib. This time I think he fell asleep mid crawl. Notice how he has one foot planted, ready to go the minute he wakes up.

Energy

I'm trying to come up with a way to bottle up some of this energy and sell it. If it works out, I think I'll be a millionaire. Or maybe I'll just use it for myself.

Grocery Poll Follow-Up

Several years ago, Luke and I went through a Good Sense Budget Course with our ABF at church. It has been the best study we've gone done on the topic of money. It's both practical and principled. But I'm not planning to do a review of the course today. The Good Sense workbook had some interesting information about food costs. As I have written about all too frequently lately, it's taken me several years to figure out where our food spending should be. This information was helpful to me during that process. Maybe you'll find it interesting as well. According to the USDA Center for Nutrition in October of 2000, a thrifty family of 2 spent $248 per month on food while a liberal family of 2 spent $475.

And I'll leave it at that. I don't think I can possible write more about grocery shopping than I already have. Well, I probably could, but I don't want to write it, and you don't want to read it.

Poll

This week at my moms groups, we had a conversation about grocery shopping, menu planning, and saving money. Since I've discovered the world of blogs, I've discovered how much time can go into menu planning, couponing, and saving pennies. I've come up with a system that works for me--something that doesn't take too much time, but still helps me meet my budget. I was amazed at how much time and money some moms in my group spent on feeding their families. Currently I don't spend a lot of time chasing sales, but I'm wondering if it'd be worth my time. Could I save bunches of money if I spent a little more time? So I'm curious, how much money do you spend on groceries each month, adjusted as if you were feeding two people? The poll is anonymous, so you don't have worry about having a "frugal queen" tiara sent to you in the mail.

Success

Caleb and I met several former coworkers today for lunch. I thought we were doing pretty well. We left on time. I fed Caleb peas, broccoli and prunes without getting any of it on my shirt. I filled my plate at a Chinese buffet while holding Caleb without spilling either my food or Caleb. I ate one-handed while holding Caleb since they didn't have any booster seats. Caleb handed out plenty of smiles even though he really wanted to get down on the dirty floor and crawl around. Caleb only pulled off his pants once. I had a lot of fun catching up with friends. Then I came home and found food in my teeth. Smooth.